LEADER - Cornwall & Devon

The Leader, a sailing vessel that met its end in 1928, is a cracker of a wreck for the UK. At a maximum depth of 16 metres, it’s accessible to most divers, and you really feel the history here. We love how intact the bow section is, often standing proud from the seabed, giving you a real sense of its former glory. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way light filters through the kelp forest that dances above the wreck. It’s got this eerie, beautiful quality, especially when the sun is out. You’ll find conger eels tucked into every crevice, their heads poking out, and the main deck is usually swarming with pollack and bib. Look closely for dogfish resting in the sand just off the hull. The stern is more broken up, but it’s a fantastic spot for finding scorpionfish camouflaged amongst the plates. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide, if you can time it right, to fully appreciate the detail and avoid battling any surge. It’s a proper dive for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a bit of structure and plenty of fish life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.605442, -5.040247
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Marine Protected Area: Castlemartin Coast

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to LEADER

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for LEADER

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories